Rhythms of Grace by Mike Cosper

I love this book!  That sums up my thoughts on this book, but I'll expand my thoughts for review purposes!  

Since I have read this book, I have approached worship differently.  Not that I didn't focus on God or anything, but I looked for ways in the worship that pointed the congregation to the gospel.  Many times you miss that in worship and I was glad to see that our church regularly did that.  I also liked how he addressed the differences in the music we sing to.  So many times we focus on the music as "worship" and forget that worship is the whole deal.  I also like how he talked about liturgy.  That for me was very interesting because I had been torn on that some.  Not because I didn't think it was meaningful, but I guess I thought you could easily say the words and not mean it.  But then I started to think that the same is true with singing and with church in general...you could be there, but not really paying attention to God and the stirrings in your heart.  

I really liked how Mike Cosper took a big concept and made it easy to understand, enjoyable to read, and challenging to the readers.  He didn't use a bunch of technical terms that would sound impressive, but you could really feel his heart in this book and know that he meant all he was saying and believed strongly in the power of worship, as we all should.

I wanted to read this book for 2 reasons.  The first was because I love any book dealing with worship, but I am very picky because I don't want it to be a book that focuses on "me."  Worship and our lives are about God.  Second, I wanted to read it because of the people he had review his book, like Albert Mohler and Matt Chandler.  Those are definitely 2 men that I respect their opinions and know that they put their focus on God in their books and not on prosperity gospel.  I also like the Gospel Coalition site, so that was another plus.  All of that to say that who you get to review your books can pull a lot of weight in a person's choice of a book.

____________

I received this book free from Crossway in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.                                          

The Winnowing Season by Cindy Woodsmall

I am a big Cindy Woodsmall fan and I think I have read and own all of her books.  She has such a way to capture her readers and to make every series feel as though it is "your favorite series of hers."  Yes, I think I say that about each series that she writes!

I have really liked the Amish Vines and Orchards series.  It is unlike most series that I have read lately, including many of her series.  Instead of focusing on different people throughout each book in the series, she takes a different angle with this series.  I see a continuation of not only the people, but the problem that ties the whole series together.  It does leave a lot of anticipation at the end and has me googling to find out when her next book comes out because each book ends with a continuation in a way.  You don't get the entire answers until what I am assuming is the last book.

I was so conflicted with Rhoda.  I liked her dearly and wanted her to be happy.  However, I just can't decide who would be best for her...Jacob or Samuel.  They have both experienced heart ache and I hate to see either one not be happy.  I don't know how I'm going to feel at the end of the series!  

And to answer my question....I only have to wait until September for the next book to come out!

__________

I received this book free from Waterbrook Press through their Blogging for Books program in exchange for my honest opinion about this book.

When the Morning Glory Blooms by Cynthia Ruchti

I am a big reader and am very surprised that I have somehow missed this wonderful author!  I could not put this book down at all!  I honestly don't know how many books Cynthia Ruchti has written, but I am planning to hunt down more of her books.  

I really enjoyed how this book was written.  I liked how it went from third person to 1st person and it told the story of 3 separate people.  The thing that tied them all together was beautiful.  It's amazing to watch God redeem our mistakes, no matter how big or small the mistakes seem.  The time span of this book is from the 1890s to 2013 and includes they personal stories and struggles of Anna, Ivy, and  Becky, along with their families.  I was surprised at how I felt so connected to each of the 3 ladies and when the story would switch to another lady, I never felt like it didn't fit together.

I also liked the cover of this book.  I was curious what morning glories had to do with this book and you definitely find out very clearly how the title of the book fits perfectly as the theme.

I look forward to reading much more of Cynthia Ruchti and can't wait for her to release another book.  I wish I had discovered her sooner.

__________

About the author: Cynthia writes stories of hope that glows in the dark, merging her love for storytelling with inextinguishable hope for inexpressible hurts. Cynthia spends her days diving into words, worship, and wonder and celebrating 40 years of marriage, three grown children, and five outrageously adorable grandchildren. One of her greatest joys is helping other writers grow in their craft. To that end, she served as the assistant director and a faculty member of the Quad Cities Christian Writers Conference, has served as worship and devotions staff for the Write-to-Publish conference, and teaches at other conferences as opportunities arise. She speaks to women’s groups, at mother-daughter banquets, and for women’s refresher days and retreats. It is her delight to serve on her church’s worship team. Rather than “busy,” she likes the term “active.” For 33 years, Cynthia wrote and produced the radio broadcast The Heartbeat of the Home. The scripted radio drama/devotional broadcast aired on as many as 50 radio stations and two cable/digital television stations over the years. Cynthia was the editor of the ministry’s Backyard Friends magazine, a twenty-page, twice annual publication that reached 5,000 homes, churches, and parachurch outreaches.

About the book: For 33 years, Cynthia wrote and produced the radio broadcast The Heartbeat of the Home. The scripted radio drama/devotional broadcast aired on as many as 50 radio stations and two cable/digital television stations over the years. Cynthia was the editor of the ministry’s Backyard Friends magazine, a twenty-page, twice annual publication that reached 5,000 homes, churches, and parachurch outreaches.

__________

I received this book free from Abingdon Press in exchange for my honest opinon of this book.

A Home for Lydia by Vannetta Chapman

I am attracted to the cover of books.  I'll admit that flaw of mine!  I think that's why I like to comment on the covers when I find ones that I really think are beautiful and catch my attention.  This book was one of them.  I loved the picture of the girl on the cover.  She has the prettiest eyes and a sweet smile.  The pictures of the lake and house are just the right size.  The girl, though, captured my attention and made me want to see what story she had to tell.  It was a very relaxing cover to me, which I always like to see when I'm reading.

Now...onto the book.  This book is the second in the Pebble Creek Amish series.  I am new to not only Vannetta Chapman but to this series, but I did not feel lost or confused at all.  She did a great job making sure you felt like you knew what you needed to know, even if you started on the second book of the series.

I liked the way you can easily relate to her characters.  There were some that I grew to love more than others.  It was neat to watch them "grow up" and mature right before your eyes.  I liked Lydia's temper, even though I know I shouldn't.  It's more fun to read about someone else losing their temper than it is for me to actually do it, I guess!

I am very excited to see what happens in the next book and am definitely going to be reading the first book now!

_____________

I received this book free from Harvest House Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Love at Any Cost by Julie Lessman

I am a big Julie Lessman fan.  Her series with the O'Connors endeared me to her.  I liked not only her writing, but the fact that my maiden name is "O'Connor" and I share that Irish heritage.  I loved the spunk of the girl they wanted to adopt and the spirit of the whole family.  I was certain that I just couldn't like this book and series as much as I did with the other series. 

I like the personalities of the characters that she writes about.  She creates them to funny, warm, loving, yet still with struggles that we can relate to.  This book is no different and I think that's why I found myself enjoying this book just as much as her previous books, if not more.

Focused in the 1900s, this book has some romance, but it's not the predictable kind of romances.  It's not the sappy kind of romance where you feel like this could never happen.  It's a natural romance that you can easily imagine.  I also like that she is poorer and will actually be marrying "up" a step.  Many books I've read lately have the woman in the higher role and the man marries up, so it was a nice change for me.

I wonder how much longer I'll have to wait to read the next one in this series.  Perhaps not too long....

_____________

I received this book free from Revell Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Tales of the Defended Ones by Beth Guckenberger

I am so excited to have another book to add to my bookshelf for when my children are older.  I really liked the perspective of this book and how Beth Guckenberger shows the readers that God hasn't stopped caring for those who can't care for themselves, such as children who are child laborers, adopted, living with a disability, etc.  What better person to write these mission-minded books than a person who is living in the midst of some of these issues.  Guckenberger lives in Mexico, and is dealing with many of these issues in what she sees daily.  I love the mission focus.

This is a very kid-friendly book.  It takes complex issues and puts those same issues on a child's level to make it easier for them to understand.  It has maps, pictures, illustrations of other children's drawings, and information about the countries they are talking about in that particular chapter.

She wrote another book before this one in the same kind of way.  It's called "Tales of the Not Forgotten."  I am definitely going to add that one to my shelf, too.

If you are looking for a resource to help broaden your child's world and help them to see what some children live like in other cultures, then this is a great book for you to read.  You can take this book further by being a part of their ministry, as well.

To read more opinions about this book, go to http://litfusegroup.com/author/bguckenberger.

__________

About Tales of the Defended Ones: Ben and Joseph lose their mothers, but find a family looking just for them. Antonio is rescued from what seems like a hopeless situation. Caitlyn dares to trust that truth will set her free. Jorani is delivered from slavery into the arms of grace. 

Follow these real-life stories as they take you on a journey to foreign places and extreme struggles. Travel through their challenges and see the hand of the great Storyweaver - our Defender God shielding and defending the defenseless in the amazing ways only he can.These are the tales of the ones left wounded and weak-ones made whole and strong . . .

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/jJ8g6 

Meet Beth: Beth Guckenberger and her husband, Todd, are the founders of Back2Back Ministries which communicates a lifestyle of service by sharing the love of Christ and serving God through service to others. Guckenberger travels and speaks regularly at women's and missions conferences, as well as youth gatherings and church services. In addition to her children's releases in the Storyweaver series, Guckenberger has written two mission-minded books. She has also partnered with Standard Publishing on the mission content in its 2013 VBS program. The Guckenberger family lives and serves in Monterrey, Mexico. 

Find out more about Beth athttp://www.bethguckenberger.com/. 

__________

I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Ephesians by Sue Edwards

I have done several Bible studies by Sue Edwards now and I have enjoyed each one of them.  I personally love the book of Ephesians and found this study to be very interesting and such a great reminder that my identity is in Christ and that alone should be enough.  At this stage in my life, many things are pressing on me and sometimes I struggle with my identity, which sometimes seems non-existent as a stay-at-home mom!  

I know I've mentioned it in my reviews for her other studies, but I truly like that you are expected to do the work.  Sometimes she throws in helpful thoughts or commentary after you've done the work, which I like.  I like being pressed to find answers for myself and not to have it relayed to me through someone else.  I am thankful that she doesn't fill her study pages with words.  When she does write something, it's intentional and it's meaningful because it's so rare in her studies.

It doesn't take too long to do the studies, but you can pick which route you would like to take.  You can spend as much time in this study as you want.  She has some work for those who can't spend an hour in the Word and then there is some for those who long to pour themselves over the pages of Scripture for an hour or more.  I like this option.  Sometimes it takes me 2 days to finish 1 days work, but it's totally worth it to learn so much more!

To read more opinions about this Bible study, go to http://litfusegroup.com/author/sedwards.

____________

Book Info

About Ephesians: Women need Bible study to keep balanced, focused and Christ-centered in their busy worlds. However, many find it difficult to set aside the time and discipline needed for an in-depth study. The Discover Together studies offer tiered questions to allow readers to choose a depth of study that fits with their individual lifestyles or schedules, even if they vary by the week, month or season This insightful Bible study uses the example of Paul's church in Ephesus to show readers how they can be victorious Christians, living in God's Word, and free from sin. Part of the discovery series, the Ephesians edition includes tips for either individual or group use, inspirational sidebars and short, 3-5 minute teaching videos. Scan the video QR code in the book with a smart phone or visit the series website to watch Sue provide historical and cultural background, teach important truths found in each week's lesson, or ask thoughtful questions to encourage deeper discussion.

____________

I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.